It will take at least ten years for South Africa to reach Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) free status.
FMD is a highly contagious disease of all cloven hoofed animals, which was introduced in South Africa, between 2021 and 2022, when animals moved from Phalaborwa to KwaZulu Natal.
FMD SAT serotypes, (SAT 1, SAT 2, SAT3)often causes mild diseases or sub-clinical infections that cannot be detected by physical inspection alone.
Dairy cattle develop severe lesions.
South Africa lost its FMD freedom status in 2019.
John Steenhuizen, Minister of Agriculture, said at a media briefing on Wednesday, a strategy to tackle the disease begins with stabilisation and consolidation, before moving towards the withdrawal of vaccination.
He also said vaccination is not a silver bullet but a mere tool to combat the disease.
KwaZulu Natal has the most cases (200), followed by Gauteng (100), Free State (40), North West (35) and Mpumalanga.
Recent outbreaks were also reported in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and the Western Cape.
Steenhuizen said intensive vaccinations, strengthened surveillance and enhanced movement control, are plans to stabilize the situation, in the first two years of the implementation of the strategy.
Activities in the following two years will include the establishment of buffer zones and compartments.
Withdrawal of vaccination would only begin in the fourth year of implementation.
Mass vaccinations are expected to be rolled out in highly infected provinces, dubbed the “epicentre”- KZN, Gauteng and the North West.
The Government will also tackle high risk, recurring infections at borders, and have provincial interventions.
Picture: NDA